Company History

Capes was founded in 1958 by Captain Rolando Perasso, a native of Chiavari, Italy, as a full-service ship agency and bulk forwarder based in Norfolk, Virginia. The venture, known among industry circles as “The Ship’s Company”, quickly became a fixture in the Italian coal trade. Since that time, we have diversified our portfolio of business and now serve a wide range of cargoes, vessel interests, and trades.

In January 2004, Capes was acquired by CV International, Inc., a family-owned and operated global logistics company headquartered in Norfolk. As a provider of U.S. export and import services, CV International offers an extensive array of resources to Capes’ principals, including cargo and parts clearance, ocean freight services and global logistics capabilities for the international movement of cargoes of all sizes and types.

Capes' tradition of service continues at port facilities across the U.S. Our corporate headquarters in Norfolk provides service at all Virginia ports including Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Yorktown and Richmond. Our Wilmington office provides an ideal base from which to serve the Philadelphia/Wilmington port areas and the Delaware River. Our location in the heart of Baltimore Harbor is convenient to all area marine terminals.

In December 2012, Capes expanded into the U.S. Gulf and Pacific Northwest through a joint venture with Southport Agencies, an established ships agency headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. Capes Southport Agencies, LLC operations include an office in New Orleans, where our team covers all Mississippi River, Mobile, Morgan City, and Port Fourchon terminals; a location in Houston, where we provide service for all ports and facilities in Houston, Galveston, Beaumont, Freeport, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, and Lake Charles; and an office in Kalama, WA, where we serve all Columbia River, Grays Harbor, Longview, Portland, Tacoma, and Seattle terminals.

The Capes tradition of quality service, professionalism and integrity started with our founding in 1958. These deep-rooted values remain at our core as we continually evolve to serve our clients' needs, combining the latest technologies with access to growing markets. Today, with our parent company CV International, Capes employs over seventy experienced maritime professionals dedicated to serving our clients and carrying forward our long-standing tradition. Put us to work for you and experience the difference that sets Capes apart.